‘Me?’ he queries.
Even he can detect the defensive note in his voice.
‘Yes,you!What is going on between you and Ruth? She says you’re not answering her texts, and she is worried she’s upset you.’
Where does he even begin? Most of all he doesn’t want this lovely young woman to think badly of him. He hadn’t realized he had hung his head until he sees Jo has bent down to look up at him from below.
‘Come on, Malcolm, it can’t be that bad. Do you have any herbal teas?’
‘Why yes, I can offer you mango and lemon; peppermint; cranberry and orange; winter berry; or lemon and ginger.’
Jo smiles at him. ‘Of course you can,’ she says fondly. ‘Lead the way.’
Malcolm makes his way to the kitchen and sets about making them drinks while Jo settles herself on a kitchen chair, like a hen about to lay. She picks up the book that he has been reading over breakfast.
‘The Wind in the Willows.I haven’t seen this in years.’
She flicks through the pages not speaking, and it is only when they both have their hands clasped about their steaming mugs that she breaks the silence. ‘Tell me all about it, Malcolm.’
Malcolm looks up at her and realizes he could never refuse this woman anything. So he does. He explains about how he wanted to give Ruth a wonderful Christmas meal, but most of all give her a rest and a break from all her responsibilities and protect her from all the people who constantly call upon her for her help. He had hoped Jo would understand. But he hadn’t expected her to laugh. He turns away, feeling hurt.
Jo immediately reaches out and catches his hand in hers. ‘Oh, Malcolm, I’m not laughing at you. It issucha lovely thing to do. But you know what Ruth is like, she just can’t help herself. She always wants to look after other people. I guess she’s not so good at being helped herself.’
‘I can see that,’ Malcolm admits, ‘but I did want her to have some time off.’
Jo smiles, ‘I think the other problem is that itisChristmas.’
‘I know, and she will have worked herself to the bone and be totally exhausted.’
Jo shakes her head. ‘No, what I meant is, itisChristmas: the time, more than any other, when Ruth will want to reach out and help people.’ Unconsciously she rubs her bump.
Malcolm inclines his head. It is a gesture of disappointment, but it also acknowledges the truth of what Jo is saying.
‘Look, I know God is not your thing. I’m not sure it’s mine either. But you know Ruth, she’s not trying to convert us all, but she is all about the love.’
‘I know,’ Malcolm sighs. ‘I am just going to have to rethink things. But it is hard.’
‘Who’ve you got coming?’
Malcolm explains and this generates a real shout of laughter from Jo.
‘Mrs Appleby?You’re kidding. I’ve met her. I don’t think even Jesus would turn up to lunch with her.’
They are both laughing now.
‘You’ll just have to get her drunk,’ Jo suggests.
‘Yana is bringing plum vodka,’ Malcolm recalls, perking up.
‘That’ll do it,’ Jo says, grinning. ‘Look, I’ve got to go now; I’ve got a check-up with the midwife.’ She leans across the table and grasps both of his hands, ‘Malcolm, I know you. You have nothing to feel guilty about. Being with Ruth can sometimes be like being caught up in a whirlwind, but I’ve learnt it is much easier to give into it. Things with Ruth have a way of working out.’
Malcolm is surprised to find he is so cheered that he can even make a joke. ‘Well, she does have God on her side.’
Jo struggles to her feet. ‘You once said that you don’t believe in God, but you do believe in the Reverend Ruth Hamilton. I think that’s a pretty good place to start.’
‘Indeed it is,’ Malcolm replies, rising with Jo. ‘And thank you, Joanne.’ Before she can respond, he holds up his hand, ‘Now, before you go, I have your Christmas presents under the tree, let me fetch them.’
Jo follows him down the hall, fishing in her bag for a small, gift-wrapped package, ‘And this is for you,’ she says, giving him a hug. She then pulls something else from herbag, ‘Oh and Eliot made this especially for you.’ It is a Christmas card of a handprint Christmas tree.
